FALSE BAY RUGBY CLUB

A FESTIVAL OF RUGBY AT CONSTANTIA

There is a festival of rugby happening at Constantia this weekend, starting on Friday night, and culminating in an enticing, enthralling programme with Motorvaps False Bay squaring up against unbeaten Hamilton Sea Point RFC on Saturday.

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Adding spice to the schedule, the False Bay Women's team also join in on the action as they host the highly rated Busy Bees of Khayalitsha. For the uninitiated, the Women's League offers high quality, running rugby with no holding back.

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The match kicking off proceedings on Saturday is the eagerly awaiting Under 20 clash, the victors maintain their unbeaten run, the vanquished relinquishing theirs. The Hamilton juniors has over the last number of seasons been perennial contestants for league honours, and are reigning Under 20 champions, while coaches Ashley Pears and Kwakona Ngwanya have in a short while, built a thriving sector of the Bay community, with league honours a silent dream of all in that league. Although Hamilton have played one more match than their hosts and allowing for a five-match-point projection, the Bay are a single league point behind their opponents. Not only their A-group, but the other two Bay under 20 teams, competing in the UCT Internal League, are thriving.

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The rugby is entertaining with the pace typically Under 20. The passion raw, the commitment to the cause undiluted, and this from both teams. The match has been shifted to the A-field in recognition of the occasion, and with the weather forecast indicating a fresh but clear day, spectators are invited to venture beyond the threshold of their home, grab a bite to eat at the Club’s restaurant and settle in for an afternoon of highly entertaining rugby.

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Derbies are not about one team, they are in a sense a festival of rugby wherein all levels of teams enjoy the experience of pitting themselves against foe for eighty minutes, who immediately revert to friends after the shower. The Second Teams of both clubs will continue this thread, this time the host’s second stringers holding the log table edge over their guests. Motorvaps False Bay currently lie third, five points ahead of fifth-placed Hamilton.

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Reverting to the weather, when the Bay hosted Maties three weeks ago, former players and members took the opportunity to enjoy the day, contributing to a thoroughly enjoyable day of camaraderie, the essence of Club Rugby. Saturday promises much of the same, this time with many Hamilton members and supporters well within travel distance to Constantia.

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The Sea Pointers have been quietly getting on with the business in the SLA, almost unstated in approach yet lethal in execution. Their pack is solid, their basics in this department sound, physical and uncompromising. Behind them is a game playing off that platform with an energetic and exciting scrumhalf, Conor van Eden combining well with a rangy eighthman not afraid to run with ball in hand.

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Motorvaps False Bay too have an exciting line up, although the loss of standout hooker, Jacques Goosen for this encounter could be felt. Their pack is effective, their three-quarters settling into a rhythm and style with which they are comfortable. There is a healthy balance of experience and youth, specifically in key positions and as demonstrated against Maties, the Bay backline can hit their straps and split defences somewhat on the day. Their bench also ups the ante when introduced in the second half.

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What more can be said to set the scene for a contest that already had the attention of club rugby fans in the first paragraph? Indeed nothing. The importance and thrill of the occasion already adds a certain level of interest to all, boosting the energy of the players involved on the day.

If you have not enjoyed the thrill of Club Rugby, especially at a pitch such as the Phillip Herbstein in Constantia, where spectators line the periphery of the field, so close every tackle is felt; the liniment can be smelt; and the intensity overflows adding to the excitement; come on down. You will not be disappointed.

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The Under 20 clash kicks off at 1.25pm and the main game at 4pm. Entrance is R20 per adult and R20 per car. Scholars enter free of charge.